If You’re So Smart…

The tiny cars are everywhere here in Europe, but perhaps none is more interesting in it’s variety that the Smart car.  Despite the diminutive size, they are surprisingly roomy and even come in a 4 seat version.  However, I would never drive one…I mean I’ve seen them park in spaces usually reserved for 2 motorcycles.  Perhaps the best version is the Police Smart, which I have actually seen drive through the park on a sidewalk, past the slides and out the other gate.  Here is a little taste of just how Smart they are.

The Regular

The Adventurous

The Sport

The For Four (no kidding, it's called the "Smart for 4")

The Crime Fighter...

Looking for those who are speeding past the playground

The Other Parts of Italy

I know Rome, Venice and Florence are the big three of Italian tourism for a reason, but I really like the less touristy places.  Since living here we have seen (in addition to Ferrrara) the less visited Ravenna, Trento, Vicenza, Verona, Bologna and this past weekend, Padova.  I will admit that Rome is the epicenter of Italian and arguably modern western civilization.  Florence, additionally, is home to some of the greatest works of renaissance art and just being in Venice speaks for itself.  But a good number of those works of art, architectural features and city layouts were invented or even stolen from the lesser know spots.

Take Padova, besides having the second oldest University in Italy, behind Bologna, it also contains one of the world’s most famous frescoes (completed in 1305) by Giotto and housed in the Scrovegni Chapel.  Bologna, and in fact the entire region of Emilia Romaga, is arguably the epicurean center of Italy…Parmesan Cheese is from here for cryin’ out loud.  Besides, the museums of Rome contain works of art that were pilfered from the smaller cities when they came under Papal rule.  In other words, there are hidden gems all over Italy, and I am only mentioning those that are easy day trips from our house.

Perhaps the best part of these cities, tourists…or lack of them.  Although there are other Europeans and in fact other Italians that frequent these cities, the numbers pale in comparison to the numbers see in the more famous spots.  So the bottom line; on your next trip to Italy look into some of those off the beaten path places.

Ask Seinfeld…He’ll Tell You.

I’ve noticed a disturbing trend here in Italy, the Man Purse.  They are everywhere, particularly this summer and it disturbs me.  Do we men really need to carry that many items that we need a bag?   I mean are we heading to the Boy Scout jamboree?  Or perhaps worse, our pants are too tight and we can’t even fit a simple wallet and perhaps cell phone in a pocket without looking like we are attempting to smuggle rare books through customs.  While the trend is more common among my age group and older, younger Italians are full participants.

What is perhaps most disturbing is the fact that Lauren thought it might be a good idea for me to get one.  Really!?!?!?  I just can’t do it!  Her justification is sound; our two year old is more capable of walking all day on his own, which negates the necessity of a stroller.  Without the stroller things like camera, tour guide and drinks end up in her purse, bringing the weight to about 43lbs.  This in turn causes me to have to lug her purse around and by extension I would look much more “manly” carrying a man bag.  I just can’t do it!  I mean I know “it’s European” and all, but I just live here, my roots are solidly Texan with a small touch of redneck and I’m a fighter pilot for crying out loud.  I am quite certain I would be disowned or at the very least harassed mercilessly until I lost the will to live.

The other voiced alternative is the backpack.  I am, however, certain that sporting the Jansport across Europe will throw me solidly into “that” American category along with the dorky dad or college crowd.  I need help, advice, anything…HELP I DON”T WANT TO WEAR A MAN PURSE!

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You see the strangest things here. Some are cool.  This was at gas station in town. There was about 10 guys gawking under the hood. I would guess there are very few of these in Europe let alone Italy, there isn't even that many in America.  You could probably fit about 10 Italian cars in this guys trunk.

Under the Tuscan Snow

(Long Delayed Entry from March 2010)

We would like to say it is an honor to be asked to contribute to the “The Great Soggiorno” by the management of this blog, hopefully our story will live up to previous entries.  Caroline and I traveled to Italy in the beginning of March to visit the Dietz family and tour the Italian countryside.  This was both of ours first trip to Italy so we limited our visit to northern Italy so we could enjoy the towns and not rush around as much.  We decided our visit would include:  Varenna (Lake Como), Ferrara, Venice, Florence, Montalcino (Tuscany), and Vernazza (Cinque Terre).  Overall, the trip was awesome, we met very nice people, we saw wonderful sights, we ate great food, we drank great wine and we endured many weather hardships.    I was told that this entry needed to have a summary of trip (preferably funny) so with that added pressure here goes… but first a quiz.

Q:  This was in the armory of the Doge’s Palace museum in Venice…what is it?  Answer at the bottom.

Winter in Italy

The week before we landed in Italy, it looked as though spring was approaching.  The temperatures were in the 50s and sunny.  However, old man winter wanted to show us what cold weather meant in Northern Italy.  Basically it was just plain freezing with temperatures in the 30s and 40s most of the trip.  Luckily for us there was sun for the first few days so it wasn’t that bad.  I even found some nice gloves (see boar’s nose below) for sell in Ferrara that came in very handy, so to speak. 

Montalcino, Volterra, and Tuscany

After a nice stay in Florence we left for Montalcino and the weather was beautiful.  The sun was out the temps were approaching 50 and we were travelling through wine country.  How could life get any better right?  We arrived in Montalcino to the whole town being covered in over a foot of snow.  The thing about these old walled cities is that the streets are too narrow to be snow plowed and Montalcino literally shut down.  We found one store and one restaurant that were open.  It was nice to see that Texans aren’t the only ones that freak out during the winter. 

Highlights of Tuscany:

·         In Montalcino having great pasta and informing Caroline that it contains wild boar and not wild boan (as printed in the menu).

·         The hotel just outside of town being closed and cancelling our reservations due to the snow and their response when I called about where to check in at, “Oh…you still want to stay here?”

·          At the Banfi winery (where there wasn’t snow) seeing the cheapest hotel room they have is 310 euro a night in the low season!

·         Our decision to make the 2 hour drive northwest to Volterra because there couldn’t possibly be snow there.

·         Thinking about an hour into the drive that it might have been a mistake as the roads get smaller, get curvier (think Pacific Coast Highway), and the snow greatly increases.

·         Reaching Volterra at 8:00PM only to find it sits on a hill and is covered in more snow than Montalcino.

·         Getting Matt’s car stuck in the snow right at the city gates and getting 4 Italian guys to help push it out.

·         Eating at a pizzeria in Volterra and having the worst meal of the trip that same night.

·         Barely fitting in the shower in our hotel room.

·         Waking up to a heavy snow the next day.

·         Deciding right then and there to leave one day early for Cinque Terre which is on the coast!

Vernazza (Cinque Terre)

I can’t describe the feeling to reach our destination and see clear skies, the Mediterranean, a picturesque town and no snow.  This place is the hippie, backpacker, just getting away from the hustle and bustle tourist Mecca.   We experienced great views, good food (get the stuffed mussels if you go) and a couple of nice relaxing days.

 

We have decided that when we go to Italy again (at a time of year that snow isn’t a possibility), Tuscany will be back on the list so we can experience it when the towns are not covered in the once-in-a-generation snow.  Thanks again to Matt, Lauren, Braxton and Will for allowing us to spend a few days with them in Ferrara and showing us everything their wonderful town had to offer.

Ciao!

Ryan and Caroline

Quiz Answer:   Chastity Belt!  Yes they are real.  Thanks for playing.

In America. By Braxton

We went on a airplane to the US.

At Ryan’s house we got presents.

At the Farm we went owling.

At Granny’s house we saw trains

At Grammy's house we went to swim.

In Dallas I went in a wagon.

We got on another airplane.

We drove from Bologna to Ferrara.

The End

Flying to America

The Presents

Owling in the woods

The Train

Me swimming in the pool

Me and will in the wagon

Us coming in for a landing in Germany

Driving home and our house

The United States (where we went)